Electrical metallic tube, coupling, and connector apparatus and method

Active Publication Date: 2005-01-13
JOHN MANEELY
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0030] The present invention significantly reduces the time required for electricians and installers to connect EMT and addresses a serious safety concern often raised regarding the installation of EMT. The present invention eliminates the time-consuming complexity of the existing connection methods by allowing the EMT to simply snap together while providing improved and more reliable ground paths. The invention offers the installer th

Problems solved by technology

Existing EMT couplings and connectors require the installer to either turn a set screw or turn an “outer body.” The need to “tighten” a set screw or “turn” an outer body not only requires additional work space but is also subject to human error, such as inadequate tightening.
If threaded connections are subject to v

Method used

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  • Electrical metallic tube, coupling, and connector apparatus and method
  • Electrical metallic tube, coupling, and connector apparatus and method
  • Electrical metallic tube, coupling, and connector apparatus and method

Examples

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Example

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 4, EMT 17 is illustrated according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this alternative embodiment, EMT 17 has four linearly shaped grooves 18 in outer surface 13 instead of the D-shaped dimples 16. Similar to D-shaped dimples 16, linearly shaped grooves 18 are adapted to receive and engage a corresponding barb 25 of sleeve coupling 20 (FIGS. 6 and 7). While two examples of the indentation on outer surface 13 have been illustrated, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the indentation(s) can take on almost any shape or size, including a roll groove that extends around the entire circumference of outer surface 13.

[0049]FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an embodiment of a sleeve coupling according to the present invention. Sleeve coupling 20 is designed to be used to connect two lengths of EMT 10 (as shown in FIG. 14). However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that sleeve coupling 20 can be modified to be a connector, which can be used ...

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Abstract

A labor saving system, method, and apparatus for connecting or coupling lengths of electric metallic tubing (“EMT”). The invention uses couplings/connectors that have barbs that are designed to engage corresponding indentations on EMT to ensure proper installation. In one aspect, the invention is an EMT having: an EMT inner surface forming an EMT cavity; an EMT outer surface; an EMT first end; and at least one indentation in the EMT outer surface at or near the EMT first end, the indentation adapted to receive a corresponding barb from a sleeve device. In another aspect, the invention is a sleeve device comprising; a sleeve inner surface forming a sleeve cavity adapted to receive an end of an EMT; a sleeve outer surface; a first sleeve end; at least one barb on the sleeve inner surface at or near the first sleeve end, the barb adapted to engage a corresponding indentation on the EMT.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 425,358, filed Apr. 28, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 360,723, filed May 15, 2002, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to the field of tubing. More particularly, the invention relates to the field of electrical metallic tubing (“EMT”) apparatus including tubing, connectors and couplings, methods of coupling sections of EMT, and methods of connecting EMT to other apparatus such as junction boxes or transition fittings. BACKGROUND ART [0003] Currently EMT is connected by using one of two methods, either a set screw coupling or a compression coupling. The connectors are made from either electroplated steel or from die cast zinc. Set screw EMT couplings are sleeves which slip over the outside diameter of two opposing...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): H02G3/06
CPCH02G3/0683
Inventor BURNETTE, DAVID RUFFIN
Owner JOHN MANEELY
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